General Data Protection Regulation: Act Now!

Soon the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will become effective, aiming for strengthening the protection of personal data across borders. As of May 25, 2018 it will become applicable in and binding for all EU member states. It is thus the more surprising that many companies still have not taken effective measures in integrating the GDPR into their data processing procedures, as a number of interviews with businesses in Germany and Austria have found. And this is despite the fact that violations might incur severe penalties. They can amount to up to four per cent of the company’s annual turnover.

Personal data is stored in all businesses. And they come in many different forms. Whether in emails, personnel records, contracts or sales correspondence, persons involved in these and other areas are allowed to inquire which data the company holds of the person and, if necessary, to object to their use. Sounds like a simple task, but if a large number of such inquiries comes in at once, many companies see themselves confronted with a nearly unsurmountable challenge if they have not taken sufficient measures.

It is important that the software used in a company is able to manage all relevant transactions in a structured manner that complies with data protection regulations. In the solution cuSmarText the Circle Unlimited AG provides an optimal data protection management. This includes not only transaction records, checklists and automated document creation but also a reliable management of inquiries by the affected person, as information for the responsible employee is only one click of the mouse away. In addition, the appointment and deadlines component monitors the allowed storage periods of the saved information and reminds the employee in good time to adjust or delete the affected documents. A report makes it possible to trace and understand all steps of a transaction. The software is integrated with Microsoft and SAP systems and can be operated through an easy-to-use web interface. Of course the cuSolutions comply with the GDPR requirements of privacy by design and privacy by default. This ensures data protection right from the software’s development, and all solutions offer maximum data protection by default.